Are these Damon Albarn's best songs?

23 March 2022, 09:00 | Updated: 23 March 2022, 11:11

The Blur frontman and Gorillaz mastermind celebrates his birthday on 23 March. Let’s look back at some of his classic songs.

1. 1991: Blur - There's No Other Way

   Look at the bowl cut! When Blur were being pitched as a baggy band, they made this surreal video for their first big hit, There’s No Other Way. It makes us REALLY fancy a roast dinner right now.

2. 1992: Blur - Popscene

   After the lukewarm critical response to their debut album Leisure, the lads kind of lost their way for a bit before pretty much inventing Britpop. This one-off single was from their short-lived “grunge/shoegaze” period.

3. 1994: Blur - Parklife

   We couldn’t leave this one out. Quadrophenia star Phil Daniels attempts to sell double-glazing to the Great Unwashed with young Damon as his apprentice. A satire on 90s Britain? Who cares?

4. 1995: Blur - Country House

   The Blurs went head-to-head with Oasis with this whimsical ditty that was meant to be about Food Records boss Dave Balfe. Silly fun.

5. 1997: Blur - Song 2

   Woo hoo! The great reinvention of Blur in the late 90s. Coxon discovered his love for Pavement and Damon learnt how to mosh.

6. 1999: Blur - Tender

   One of the gloomiest songs ever - and yet one of the most uplifting. From the album 13.

7. 2001: Gorillaz - Clint Eastwood

   The last thing we expected from Damon Albarn was a collaboration with Tank Girl artist Jamie Hewlett, and yet that is what we got. And it was good.

8. 2005: Gorillaz - Dirty Harry

   One of the cartoon band’s biggest and best grooves: it’s got dub reggae stylings, a rap and a choir of kids while Damon sings. Cheers.

9. 2007: The Good The Bad And The Queen - Kingdom Of Doom

   Another major collaboration for Albarn - he teamed up with former Clash man Paul Simonon, The Verve’s Simon Tong and the whole thing was produced by Danger Mouse. Intriguing stuff.

10. 2010: Gorillaz - Stylo

    From the underrated album Plastic Beach, this tune features none other than Bobby Womack on the soundtrack and Bruce Willis in the video. Damon Albarn is a popular man.

11. 2014: Damon Albarn - Heavy Seas Of Love

    It took Damon until 2004 before he was prepared to release an album as himself. This is its most soulful moment.

12. 2017: Gorillaz - We Got The Power

    The virtual band cranked up back into action with an optimistic album of eclectic tunes. The closing number features Jehnny Beth of London scenesters Savages.